Colts cruise past Terriers

Friday

Feb 1, 2013 at 9:00 AM

By Ed Patinoed.patino@hillsdale.netHILLSDALE — According to Hillsdale Academy girls basketball coach Kevin Reed, a major key to his team's success as been their unselfish play.The Colts put that on display again and took another step toward a conference championship.Getting production from everyone in their lineup, the Colts rolled to a 59-10 victory over the Litchfield Terriers in a Southern Central Athletic Association game Thursday evening.Hillsdale Academy (15-1, 12-0 SCAA) controls its own destiny for the SCAA title with four regular season games remaining."After the Hillsdale game, we came in and set new goals, and one is to win out," Reed said. "The girls are bringing a championship effort to practice every night. This was our 13th straight day with a game or practice, and the girls had to make their own intensity tonight."Litchfield (5-7, 4-7 SCAA) was held to just two field goals on the night. The Colts spotted the Terriers the first point of the game, then scored the game's next 18 points and never looked back. Hillsdale Academy eventually built a 40-point lead by the end of the third quarter, and the fourth was played under a running clock.Kim Wykes hit a free throw just over a minute into the game, giving the Terriers a 1-0 lead. McKayla Tharp and Olivia Jones answered with consecutive 3-pointers to kick off Hillsdale Academy's run. Forcing turnovers and passing the ball around effectively, the Colts scored 10 more points before the quarter ended, then Elyse Lisznyai hit a layup eight seconds into the second, making it 18-1."Elyse pressures the ball like crazy, and tonight she made sure everyone shared the ball," Reed said. "She's developing into a great leader. We've been really unselfish, and it's important for everyone to know they are a part of our success."Harley Prater knocked down a floating shot a minute later for Litchfield, but the Colts scored the game's next 16 points. A jumper by Victoria Heckenlively started the run, which featured a pair of fast-break layups by Lisznyai and a layup by Jones. Another layup by Christina Craig in the final minute made it 34-3 before Katelyn Wheeler hit a pair of free throws for the Terriers."We never got anything going and we've been struggling bad lately," Litchfield coach Bill O'Dell said. "(Hillsdale Academy) played really well against us and took advantage of their opportunities. It's been a struggle for us the last six games, but the girls have never quit. I've been happy with that part, and I hope we keep playing as hard as we can."After Prater hit two free throws three minutes into the third quarter, Hillsdale Academy put the game away with another surge. Lisznyai and Lyndee Wonders hit a pair of baskets, and a pair of free throws by Michaela Biegner made it 47-7 entering the fourth.Lisznyai had 17 points and five assists to lead the Colts. Jones and Tharp both scored eight points, while Craig added six points. Maeve Sullivan finished with six points and five rebounds. Both Lyndee and Erin Wonders scored four points, with Lyndee recorded four blocks."Maeve was great for us off the bench and Tharp shot well tonight," Reed said. "The fun thing for us is you never know who it's going to be to step up."Prater had five points to lead Litchfield. Melanie Shoemaker and Wheeler both scored two points.Hillsdale Academy will host Camden-Frontier on Monday, while the Terriers will visit Will Carleton Academy on Tuesday.